U.S. patent application number 13/239738 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-02 for filling device for an anesthetic dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to DRAGER MEDICAL GMBH. Invention is credited to Michael HEIDSCMIDT, Thomas LUTTER, Franz MAIR, Sven PASDZIOR, Henryk SCHNAARS.
Application Number | 20120192992 13/239738 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44838822 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120192992 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SCHNAARS; Henryk ; et
al. |
August 2, 2012 |
FILLING DEVICE FOR AN ANESTHETIC DISPENSER
Abstract
A filling device for an anesthetic dispenser has a closing
element (3) that can be inserted into the filler neck (2) and can
again be removed from same in a simple manner. A bayonet catch is
provided between the closing element (3) and the filler neck (2)
combined with a ring seal (18). The a ring seal (18) can be pressed
in an axial direction by axial rotation and has an elastically
deformable spring element.
Inventors: |
SCHNAARS; Henryk; (Lubeck,
DE) ; LUTTER; Thomas; (Lubeck, DE) ;
HEIDSCMIDT; Michael; (Lubeck, DE) ; MAIR; Franz;
(Lubeck, DE) ; PASDZIOR; Sven; (Lubeck,
DE) |
Assignee: |
DRAGER MEDICAL GMBH
Lubeck
DE
|
Family ID: |
44838822 |
Appl. No.: |
13/239738 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/311R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/183 20130101;
A61M 2205/43 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/311.R |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/00 20060101
B65B003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 2, 2011 |
DE |
10 2011 010 035.0 |
Claims
1. A filling device for an anesthetic dispenser, the filling device
comprising: a filler neck, for filling the device with liquid
anesthetic, with a thread part; a closing element for attachment to
the filler neck with a complementary thread part for cooperating
with the thread part to form a threaded connection providing
relative axial movement between the closing element and the filler
neck upon rotary motion of the closing element relative to the
filler neck during thread engagement between the thread part and
the complementary thread part, the threaded connection comprising a
rotatingly movably actuatable bayonet catch; and a ring seal
provided between the closing element and the filler neck for being
pressed between the closing element and the filer neck by the axial
movement.
2. A filling device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the spring
element has a V-shaped or U-shaped or helical or plate-like design
on one side.
3. A filling device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closing
element is plugable into the filler neck to reach a first position
and is rotatable into a second position as a blocked position by
the rotary motion.
4. A filling device in accordance with claim 3, further comprising
signaling means for acoustic signal generation when the second
position is reached.
5. A filling device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ring
seal is arranged between a front side of the closing element and a
contact surface at the filler neck.
6. A filling device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closing
element has a toggle-like actuating knob indicating a preferred
position of the closing element.
7. A filling device for an anesthetic dispenser, the filling device
comprising: a filler neck for filling the device with liquid
anesthetic, the filler neck having a thread part; a closing element
for attachment to the filler neck with a complementary thread part
for cooperating with the thread part to form a threaded connection,
the threaded connection comprising a rotatingly movably actuatable
bayonet catch including a bayonet groove associated with one of the
filler neck and the closing element and a bayonet cam associated
with another of the filler neck and the closing element, the
threaded connection providing a defined relative axial movement
between the closing element and the filler neck upon rotary motion
of the closing element relative to the filler neck during
engagement between the bayonet catch and the bayonet groove; and a
ring seal provided between a closing element ring seal engagement
portion and a filler neck ring seal engagement portion, the ring
seal being pressed between the closing element ring seal engagement
portion and the filer neck ring seal engagement portion by the
axial movement.
8. A filling device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the spring
element has at least one of a V-shaped, U-shaped, helical and
plate-like cross section.
9. A filling device in accordance with claim 7, wherein: one of the
one of the filler neck and the closing element have a recess to
receive the bayonet cam, to allow the closing element to be plugged
into the filler neck in a plugged in first position; the bayonet
groove and the bayonet catch define a blocked second position in
which further upon rotary motion of the closing element relative to
the filler neck is blocked; and the closing element is rotatable
from the first position into the second position providing the
defined relative axial movement between the closing element ring
seal engagement portion and the filer neck ring seal engagement
portion.
10. A filling device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the
bayonet groove and the bayonet catch form a stop face defining the
blocked second position
11. A filling device in accordance with claim 10, further
comprising an acoustic sound generator generating a sound when the
second position is reached.
12. A filling device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the sound
generator comprises a contact element which experiences a change in
position upon one of the filler neck and the closing element
reaching the stop face.
13. A filling device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the ring
seal is arranged between a front side of the closing element
forming the closing element ring seal engagement portion and a
contact surface at the filler neck forming the filer neck ring seal
engagement portion.
14. A filling device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the
closing element has a toggle-like actuating knob indicating a
position of bayonet catch.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119 of German Patent Application DE 10 2011 010 035.0
filed Feb. 2, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to a filling device for an
anesthetic dispenser with a filler neck for liquid anesthetic and a
closing element that can be attached to the filler neck by means of
a threaded connection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A filling device of this type is known from CA 622 821 A.
The anesthetic evaporator operating according to the bypass
principle has an evaporating chamber, which is filled with liquid
anesthetic. Wicks, which dip into the liquid anesthetic, generate a
saturated concentration of anesthetic vapor within the evaporating
chamber. A filling device for the anesthetic in the form of a
filler neck, which is provided with a closing element that can be
screwed in, is located on the outside of the evaporating chamber.
To replace consumed anesthetic, the closing element is screwed out
of the filler neck and anesthetic is filled into the evaporating
chamber. The closing element is also used to seal the evaporating
chamber in a pressure-sealed and gas-tight manner against the
environment after filling. The drawback of the prior-art closing
element is that several turns are needed for closing.
[0004] It is also known, as can be determined from EP 348 019 A1,
that a sealing ring, which is pressed axially, can be provided
between the closing element and the filler neck. Since nearly all
elastomeric sealing materials tend to swell under the effect of
anesthetic vapor, it is sometimes necessary to apply high torques
to loosen the closing element.
[0005] Bayonet catches in anesthetic dispensers are also known, DE
923 500 C, but the sealing problems have not been solved
satisfactorily.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A basic object of the present invention is to improve a
filling device of the mentioned type such that the closing element
can be inserted into the filler neck and again removed from same in
a simple manner.
[0007] According to the invention, a filling device is provided for
an anesthetic dispenser. The filling device comprises a filler neck
for liquid anesthetic and a closing element that can be attached to
the filler neck by means of a threaded connection. The threaded
connection is designed as a rotatingly movably actuatable bayonet
catch. A ring seal is pressed by the axial rotation. The ring seal
has an elastically deformable spring element provided between the
closing element and the filler neck.
[0008] The advantage of the device according to the present
invention is that the threaded connection between the filler neck
and the closing element is designed as a bayonet catch, which is
locked or released with a plugging rotary motion. In addition, a
ring seal, which can be pressed by the axial rotation of the
bayonet catch and which consists of a sealing material and has an
elastically deformable spring element, is provided in the
connection area of the filler neck and of the closing element. The
bayonet catch comprises a bayonet groove at the filler neck and
bayonet cams designed correspondingly thereto at the closing
element. Polymers, preferably synthetic polymers, for example,
those based on carbon, are suitable for use as sealing materials.
The bayonet groove is provided with a thread pitch in such a way
that the ring seal is pressed axially in the blocked position of
the bayonet catch and the closing element is sealed as a result
within the filler neck. The axial pressing of the ring seal takes
place within the spring deflection preset by the spring element.
The spring element consists of metal or an anesthetic-resistant
plastic, so that only elastic restoring forces are to be overcome
during the axial pressing and swelling effects of the sealing
material are of secondary importance. The maximum possible spring
stroke can be determined on the basis of the maximum possible angle
of rotation of the closing element up to the blocked position and
the thread pitch of the bayonet groove and the ring seal is
selected to be such that the maximum possible spring stroke is in
the elastic deformation range of the ring seal. The bayonet catch
combined with the ring seal provided with a spring element has the
advantage that the maximum angle of rotation of the closing element
for releasing and blocking is limited in such a way that the spring
element is deformed only elastically within the ring seal.
[0009] The spring element of the ring seal advantageously has a
design that is open on one side with two legs and is, for example,
V- or U-shaped. Helical or plate-shaped designs are also suitable
for the spring element. A free space, which is reduced during the
axial elastic pressing of the ring seal, is present between the
legs in the undeformed state of the spring element. The axial force
to be applied can be affected by selecting the spring rigidity of
the spring element. The closing element is advantageously plugged
into the filler neck in a first position and is brought by a rotary
motion into a second position, in which the closing element is
blocked in the filler neck.
[0010] A means for acoustic signaling at the time of reaching the
second position is advantageously provided. This means may be a
catch, which is actuated by one of the bayonet cams when the second
position is reached and generates by means of a spring mechanism a
clicking sound, which indicates the blocked position. The user thus
obtains information that the closing element is locked within the
filler neck.
[0011] The ring seal is advantageously arranged between a front
side of the closing element and a contact surface at the filler
neck.
[0012] An exemplary embodiment of the device according to the
present invention is shown in the drawings and will be explained in
more detail below. The various features of novelty which
characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in
the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a
better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and
specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred
embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In the drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a filling device with a
closing element positioned above the filler neck according to the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of the closing element;
[0016] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the filling device;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the filling device according
to FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 2a is a detail "A" according to FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 with an
acoustic signal generator; and
[0020] FIG. 4 is a top partially sectional view of the filler
neck.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring to the drawings in particular, FIG. 1 shows a
filling device 1 with a filler neck 2 for connecting a reservoir
for liquid anesthetic, not shown specifically, and with a closing
element 3, which can be inserted into the filler neck 2. The filler
neck 2 has a cylindrical inner wall 4 with two recesses 5, 51
(thread parts) arranged offset by 180 degrees for inserting two
bayonet cams 6, 61 (complementary thread parts), which have a
design corresponding thereto and which are arranged at a
cylindrical shaft 7 of the closing element 3. Bayonet cam 6 is not
shown in FIG. 1, since it is located opposite the bayonet cam 61.
For greater clarity, the closing element 3 is shown in FIG. 1
rotated by 90 degrees in relation to the position of the recesses
5, 51 of the filler neck 2. Bayonet grooves 8, 81, which are
provided with a thread pitch 9, 91 and have dimensions
corresponding to those of the bayonet cams 6, 61, are located on
the underside of the recesses 5, 51. Only one of the bayonet
grooves, namely, bayonet groove 8, is shown in FIG. 1 for the sake
of greater clarity. The closing element 3 is plugged in a first
position 10 in the filler neck 2 by the bayonet cams 6, 61 being
inserted into the recesses 5, 51 and being brought by a quarter
turn, during which the bayonet cams 6, 61 slide in the bayonet
grooves 8, 81, into a second position 11, in which the closing
element 3 is blocked in the filler neck 2. The closing element 3
has on the top side a toggle-like actuating knob 12 with two
opposite grip surfaces 13, as a result of which a rectangular
surface 14 is formed on the top side of the actuating knob 12. The
rectangular surface 14 makes it possible for the user to recognize
the angular position of the closing element 3 in relation to the
filler neck 2. When the grip surfaces 13 are located in the drawing
plane, this corresponds to the first position 10 of the closing
element 3, in which the latter is plugged into the filler neck 2.
The surface is rotated by 90 degrees in relation to the starting
position in the second position 11 of the closing element 3. The
thread pitch 9, 91 of the bayonet grooves 8, 81 causes the closing
element 3 to be screwed into (axial movement) the filler neck 2
during the transition (during rotation of closing element 3) from
the first position 10 into the second position 11. Together with
the bayonet grooves 8, 81 at the filler neck 2, the bayonet cams 6,
61 at the closing element 3 form a bayonet catch 29. In addition to
the filler neck 2, a sight glass 15, from which the filling level
of the liquid anesthetic in a reservoir, not shown specifically,
can be read, is located at the filling device 1.
[0022] FIG. 1a shows as a first addition to FIG. 1 a perspective
view of the closing element 3 with the view towards the bayonet
cams 6, 61.
[0023] FIG. 1b shows as a second addition to FIG. 1 a perspective
view of the filling device 1 with view from the rear side of the
sight glass towards recess 51 and the bayonet groove 81 with the
thread pitch 91.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the filling device 1 according to FIG. 1
in a longitudinal section. Identical components are designated by
the same reference numbers as in FIG. 1. A ring seal 18, which
consists of a sealing material 19 with a V-shaped spring element 20
located on the inside, is located between a front side 16 of the
closing element 3 and a contact surface 17 on the underside of the
filler neck 2. FIG. 2a shows detail "A" according to FIG. 2 with an
enlarged view of the spring element 20. When the closing element 3
is rotated from the first position 10 into the second position 11,
the legs 21 of the spring element 20 are pressed against each other
and pressed axially due to the thread pitch 9 of the bayonet
grooves 8, as a result of which the closing element 3 is sealed
against the filler neck 2 by means of the sealing material 19. The
free space 22 between the legs 21 decreases during the axial
pressing of the ring seal 18.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the filling device 1
rotated by 180 degrees relative to FIG. 2. A contact element in the
form of a pin 25, which is prestressed by a compression spring 24
and is arranged within the bayonet groove 8, is located in a hole
23.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the filling device 1 with a
top view of the pin 25 and the bayonet cams 6, 61 within the
bayonet grooves 8, 81. The bayonet grooves 8, 81 have stop faces
26, with which the bayonet cams 6 are in contact in the second
position 11 of the closing element 3. Step-like depressions 27,
which touch the pin 25 during the transition into the second
position 11, are located on the side of the bayonet cams 6, 61
facing away from the stop faces 26. A "clicking sound," which
indicates to the user that the blocked position has been reached,
is generated by the cooperation of the pin 25 prestressed with the
compression spring 24 with one of the depressions 27, which
together form an acoustic signal generator 28 that is a preferred
signaling means for acoustic signal generation when the second
position is reached.
[0027] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described in detail to illustrate the application of the
principles of the invention, it will be understood that the
invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such
principles.
TABLE-US-00001 List of Reference Numbers 1 Filling device 2 Filler
neck 3 Closing element 4 Inner wall 5 Recess 51 Recess 6 Bayonet
cam 61 Bayonet cam 7 Straight pin 8 Bayonet groove 81 Bayonet
groove 9 Thread pitch 91 Thread pitch 10 First position 11 Second
position 12 Actuating knob 13 Grip surface 14 Rectangular surface
15 Sight glass 16 Front side 17 Contact surface 18 Ring seal 19
Sealing material 20 Spring element 21 Leg 22 Free space 23 Hole 24
Compression spring 25 Pin 26 Stop face 27 Depression 28 Acoustic
signal generator 29 Bayonet catch
* * * * *